Tarun Tejpal can't leave the country, says Goa police

Tightening the noose, the Goa police on Tuesday issued an "immigration check post alert" against high-profile Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, who is accused of sexually assaulting his junior colleague, apparently to prevent him from leaving the country.

The alert was issued within minutes after the journalist deposed before the state crime branch team, investigating the case, in Mumbai this afternoon.

Incidentally, the Delhi high court on Tuesday refused to grant interim protection against arrest to Tejpal, who is accused of the sexual assault of the journalist on November 7 and 8 at a hotel in Goa.

"The immigration check-post alert has been issued to all ports as a precautionary measure so that the accused in this case does not leave the country. The alert is issued to avoid the circumstances in which the accused might try to leave the country," Deputy Inspector General of Police O P Mishra told reporters in Panaji.

He said all ports, including airports where immigration facility is available, are also put on the alert.

The DIG informed the investigating officer in the case "is talking to the victim and she is fully cooperating with us". He refused to divulge details about the statement recorded by the scribe with the police.

Mishra said the police were yet to receive any formal communication about the petition filed by Tejpal in a Delhi court.

"We are yet to get any formal communication about the case but our lawyers have been informed by us about the case. Since the matter is sub-judice, I won't like to comment about it now," he said.

Ruling out any political interference in the investigation, the DIG said, "We are professionals and we act as per professional norms."